General News
7 September, 2023
Ramping up" Blockade bid to stop bulldozers
RESIDENTS have started blocking entrances to Inglewood’s old ambulance station in a last-minute battle to halt its demolition. Several vehicles were parked around the Hospital Street site on Sunday night as the town prepared for the anticipated...
RESIDENTS have started blocking entrances to Inglewood’s old ambulance station in a last-minute battle to halt its demolition.
Several vehicles were parked around the Hospital Street site on Sunday night as the town prepared for the anticipated arrival of demolition crews this week.
More than 20 formed a welcoming committee on Monday while paramedics worked from the new station next door.
“The community is being shut down and ignored by the Government,” said Howard Rochester. “There is now a new ambulance station but this one does not need to go.”
Residents have called for a release of all documents on the old brown brick station built in the mid-1980s that the Government now claims has asbestos.
Northern Victoria Region MP Gaelle Broad joined protesting residents on Monday, days after she tabled a petition in State Parliament calling for a halt to demolition plans.
“They (residents) would like to see it used either as a community base or as additional office space for Inglewood and Districts Health Service,” Ms Broad said.
“I commend the hundreds of people who have signed the petition and are standing up for their community,” Ms Broad said.
She has also written to Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas and called the minister’s office.
“Time is running out ... I have asked the Minister to step in to delay the demolition and facilitate a meeting between Ambulance Victoria and the Inglewood and Districts Health Service to see if a more amenable solution can be found.”
Mr Rochester said: “Let’s talk, let’s look at the situation. If it can’t be fixed then show us the information to back that up.”
And Ms Broad said a demolition contract could be cancelled. “The State Government has ripped up other contracts. Contracts don’t seem to mean much in Victoria these days.”
The old station was built after the 1983 Ash Wednesday bushfires. Timber used in framework came from trees that had been quickly salvaged from fire areas and preserved in nearby lakes until ready for milling.
Builder Bruce Hargreaves said: “It was some of the best timber we ever had.”
The Wedderburn builder and retired bricklayer Bert Bradley are unsure if the building had asbestos used in construction.
“This was around the time asbestos was stopped being used,” Mr Hargreaves said. “And if it was, it would be in the eaves and the only time asbestos is a danger is when it is disturbed.”
Mr Bradley was among protesters for a second time in a month on Monday and believes it would be a waste of money to demolish the old station.
Mr Rochester said community calls for talks had been snubbed by the Government, ignoring grass roots support for the building’s retention.
A Government spokesperson said: “Following much consideration and with community safety in mind, a decision was made to demolish the old Inglewood Ambulance branch due to the condition of the building.
“Throughout the construction process, we continued to monitor and maintain the old building to ensure the safety of our paramedics while work was underway to prepare and build the new station.
“The condition of the existing buildings onsite, including the old Inglewood Ambulance Branch, have deteriorated and are no longer fit-for-purpose.
“Demolition of the old Inglewood ambulance branch will commence now the paramedics have moved into their new, multi-million-dollar facility.”
Member for Ripon Martha Haylett was asked for comment on whether she supported the community campaign.